Marina Fedunkiv spoke about her relationship with her Italian mother-in-law

— Marina, how was your summer? Fans are sure that you, being the wife of an Italian, do not leave this hot country…

— I don’t like to disappoint fans, but I have to: I don’t go to Italy often. The reason for this is a busy schedule. Stefano and I work a lot. I also work in the summer – no one has canceled filming. I’m just a workaholic, I love my job, I don’t know how to rest for a long time. But if we manage to fit the trip into our schedule, of course we go. The last time we visited my husband’s homeland was at the beginning of this year. We visit Stefano’s family, my husband meets with friends, we go for walks, visit restaurants – we practically have tourist leisure.

“We miss the two thousand years”

— Filming, touring… haven’t you dreamed of business? Moreover, you have already perfectly entered the role of the hostess of a catering establishment in the series “Cafe “Cuba”.

– Of course, I dreamed and still dream. But realizing how much effort and nerves are behind this, I’m unlikely to dare to open my own business. You need to understand and understand what you are going to do. It would be nice to have some experience in the area where you are going to open your own business, but I did not have such experience. Perhaps, thanks to “Cafe “Cuba” I will one day decide on this adventure.

— “Cafe “Cuba” is a rather atmospheric project. What was your most memorable moment during filming?

— We had a complete immersion in the 90s. They created such an atmosphere on the set that I really got lost in time. One day I shocked everyone when I asked what year it was (laughs). In fact, this is the best compliment to the work of the entire team. We really miss the two thousand years in which, despite everything, we were happy.

— Your fans also know about your musical talent. Does Marina Fedunkiv seriously intend to step on the heels of our pop stars?

— I never intended to compete with our artists – I’m not a singer, but a singing character. But if they see me as a competitor, I won’t lie, it’s nice. And I won’t refuse places in the charts either. We’re actually recording a new song now. I stay true to my style, but I think I can surprise and delight my fans.

— In general, how did your passion for music begin?

— I always sang, many said that I had a good voice. I had no intention of singing professionally at all, but one day my producer Igor suggested: “Let’s try!” And we just had a song that was close to my mood. I tried it and got a taste for it. You see, for me singing is another way of communicating with my viewers, an opportunity to please them, people like it. More often than not, it is a program of songs and comedy sketches that is requested for corporate events.

— Were you afraid of criticism?

— If you’re afraid of wolves, don’t go into the forest (laughs). I was never afraid of criticism addressed to me. There is only one life, if you want, you need to try. And I adore haters, I communicate with them very often on social networks. Very nice people, they just want attention.

— Marina, admit it, do you watch movies and TV series with your participation?

– Of course, I’m watching. True, usually from the position of a critic. But my husband always balances this issue – he watches all the films with my participation with love (smiles). I like to find fault with myself: for example, I don’t like the way my voice sounds on the screen. Or it seems: I would have played differently now. But I like all my roles themselves, I don’t want to change anything radically. Filming is a moment, an instant, it is unique and beautiful.

— When preparing for your projects, where do you draw your experience from?

“I have always been surrounded by wonderful women – charismatic, able to stand up for themselves, who know their worth. I wasn’t always an actress, I worked at a vegetable warehouse, and as a conductor, and as a teacher in a boarding school, all kinds of women I never met. They are my source of inspiration.

“My husband taught me to be weak”

— You have been married for two years. Are you planning to become a mother or is work first?

– You know, there are things that are impossible to plan. I didn’t plan to get married until I met Stefano. I believe in fate. It will be as it should be.

— By the way, how is your life going now, after two years of marriage?

– You know, I’m so used to it that I no longer consider it something unusual. Family life is going well, everyday life has not spoiled us.

— Have you discovered anything new in your marriage?

— The main discovery is to follow your husband, not to do everything yourself, but to know that there is a shoulder nearby. Sometimes, of course, I want to go into burning huts, but now I have someone who will stop me and do everything himself. Stefano taught me to be weak in the good sense of the word.

– How often do you spend time with your spouse – given your busy schedule?

“I don’t think our family is anything special in this regard.” Nowadays, many spouses are absorbed in their careers. The main thing is to be able to differentiate between work and personal life. When we’re together, everything else can wait.

— Do you maintain relations with your Italian relatives?

— First of all, we are in touch with my husband’s mother. We call each other and usually communicate together; we have a very warm relationship. Usually these are video calls. When we arrive in Italy, we try to visit it.

— Well-known geopolitical events did not affect the attitude of your husband’s parents towards you?

— Our family is outside politics. Everything is fine.

— Italians are excellent cooks. Do you exchange any food recipes with your relatives?

— You know, I don’t consider myself a culinary virtuoso. I cook with pleasure, but without fanaticism. In this regard, Stefano “rules” us. So I don’t exchange recipes with the Italian family. In terms of traditions, my husband himself will advise anyone.

— Has Stefano ever been on your set?

“I prefer Stefano to see the result; I want to preserve the magic of cinema for him.” My husband watches films with my participation with pleasure and is very proud of me.

— Do you have any necessary gifts left from the wedding?

— They gave mostly money (laughs). So everything was useful. The guests’ contribution was used to improve the house and grounds.

“I want to feed such a woman”

— It’s no secret that you also tour often. What kind of rider does Marina Fedunkiv have?

— An ordinary rider, no frills. But, of course, with age you want a little more comfort. That is, I’m no longer ready to drive a Gazelle for 400 kilometers, as before. And I myself remember, back in Perm, when I was organizing events, I performed riders for touring artists several times. Since then, I decided not to be impudent in this regard, not to strain the organizers.

— Have you ever had to check into a “dead” hotel?

– It happened. On tour we visit a variety of cities, and not all of them have five-star apartments. I take this calmly, I didn’t come for convenience, but to meet my favorite viewers.

It happened that there was no water in the hotel or the door handle was left in the hands. When it was completely dark, I, of course, could express indignation. After all, for the organizers this is also a commercial activity, they earn money and expect us to work 100%. And when after a flight you can’t even sleep peacefully because the hotel is under renovation, or you can’t take a shower because there’s no water, this negatively affects the artist’s work mood.

“Shouldn’t you have turned around and left?”

“I come for the sake of the audience, I can’t let them down.” We always try to come up with something, there are no hopeless situations.

— Admit it, did they climb into your windows and write declarations of love?

“They didn’t climb into the windows, but they shouted under the windows.” I remember meeting my colleagues in the morning at breakfast, and they said to me: “Marin, did we shout at you yesterday?”, but I don’t even remember – I came after the performance and immediately fell asleep.

Recently, on tour in Yekaterinburg, female spectators brought a speaker, turned it on at the service exit and sang my songs in a crowd, waiting for me after the performance. It was a pleasure! I am very grateful to all the fans, they are very real – they always say what they think and do everything solely at the behest of their hearts.

– What do they give?

— Mostly flowers and sweets, they say that you want to please and feed such a woman (laughs).

— The series “Real Boys” is a huge part of creative life. Do you maintain relationships with your colleagues?

– We are trying to meet. But everyone is busy, so we usually see each other on the set. It’s like a family now. We are always in touch with the director of the project, Zhanna Kadnikova, she is my close friend. “We also filmed Cafe Cuba together.

“I haven’t been to a cosmetologist”

— How often do you visit a cosmetologist and what do you do with your face?

— It’s very nice to hear that people consult me ​​about beauty procedures. The secret of beauty is to do what you love, to be happy, to feel attractive to the person you love. And, of course, daily facial care is important. I have never been to a cosmetologist: I don’t think I need it today. But if the desire and need arises, I will definitely go.

—Have you ever consulted a plastic surgeon?

— I’ve never been either, because I’m afraid. What if something goes wrong during the operation? What if I can’t support this beauty? And most importantly, what if I don’t like the result, what if I don’t recognize myself in the mirror? (Laughs.) I don’t want to lose my individuality and natural charm. But I’m not at all against plastic surgery and I’m sure that one day I’ll decide on it. I don’t see anything wrong with this. By the way, I get plastic surgery, and so regularly, so I definitely don’t have to be embarrassed (laughs).

— How do you restore your strength?

— The ideal vacation is a weekend at home, when you don’t plan anything. I also love to travel: a change of scenery inspires me. My option is a few days of vacation, a week at most, then I start to miss work and want to go home.

— Are you friends with sports?

— I bought a tracksuit, went to the gym, drank water in the cooler and went back home.